Right angle mechanical actuator for tensioner
AssigneeOpex Corporation
InventorKerry O'Mara
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An actuator for transmitting an input force in a first direction from an input mechanism to a force in a second direction at an output mechanism. The actuator may be incorporated into a tensioner for tensioning a belt. The device includes a plurality of aligned spherical elements in a curved raceway. The input mechanism transmits force to a first of the series of spherical elements. The spherical elements are substantially incompressible so that the series of spherical elements transmits the force along the curved raceway from the input mechanism to the output mechanism.
Claims20
A tensioner for a belt assembly having a belt entrained around a plurality of rotatable elements, wherein the tensioner comprises:
- a housing;
- a raceway formed within the housing wherein the raceway comprises a first portion extending in a first direction and a second portion extending in a second direction wherein the first direction is transverse the second direction;
- a plurality of spherical elements disposed in the first and second portions of the raceway, wherein the raceway has a width and the diameter of the spherical elements is approximately the same as the width of the raceway so that the spherical elements are serially aligned within the raceway;
- an input mechanism in operable engagement with a first of the spherical elements in the first portion of the raceway, wherein the input mechanism is configured to drive the first spherical element in the first direction;
- an output mechanism configured to be operably connected with one of the rotatable elements of the belt assembly such that displacement of the output mechanism is operable to adjust tension in the belt;
- wherein the output mechanism is operably connected with a second of the spherical elements in the second portion of the raceway;
- wherein the input mechanism is configured such that operating the input mechanism drives the first ball in the first direction which displaces the second ball in the second direction, which drives the output mechanism in the second direction thereby displacing the one rotatable element to adjust the tension in the belt.
A mechanical actuator for applying a linear output force, comprising:
- a housing;
- a raceway formed within the housing wherein the raceway comprises a first portion extending in a first direction and a second portion extending in a second direction wherein the first direction is transverse the second direction;
- a plurality of spherical elements disposed in the first and second portions of the raceway, wherein the raceway has a width and the diameter of the spherical elements is approximately the same as the width of the raceway so that the spherical elements are serially aligned within the raceway;
- an input mechanism in operable engagement with a first of the spherical elements in the first portion of the raceway, wherein the input mechanism is configured to drive the first spherical element in the first direction;
- an output mechanism configured to be operably connected with one of the rotatable elements of a belt assembly such that displacement of the output mechanism is operable to adjust tension in the belt assembly;
- mechanism is operably engaged with a second of the spherical elements wherein the output in the second portion of the raceway;
- wherein input mechanism is configured such that operating the input mechanism to drive the first ball in the first direction displaces the second ball in the second direction, which drives the output mechanism in the second direction to provide a linear output force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.